Canada Records Surprise Trade Deficit

April Deficit Hits C$638 Million as Exports Post Biggest Decline in Six Months

OTTAWA--Canada recorded a surprise trade deficit in April as exports posted their biggest decline in six months and imports rose to a record level, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

The disappointing results are likely to stir further angst among policy makers at the Bank of Canada, whose forecast for modest growth in Canada is based on a robust pickup in exports and business investment that, to date, has failed to materialize.